'Zombie Knives' Sellers Face Jail As Ban Comes Into Force This Week

Anyone caught selling zombie knives faces being sent to prison under a ban which comes into force on Thursday across England and Wales


The blades, which can be up to 2ft long with a serrated edge and carry images or words that glamorise violence, can be purchased online for as little as £10.
A government crackdown on the lethal weapons comes in the form of an amendment to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 prohibiting the sale, manufacture, rental or importation of the blades.
Those caught making or selling the items will face up to four years in prison.
Ministers hope the ban on the knives - inspired by horror films and often advertised as collectors' items - will lead to a fall in the number of all bladed weapons on the streets.
Figures show that in the year ending in March, police forces logged 28,664 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument, a 10% increase compared with the previous 12 months.
It also follows the conviction of a teenager for manslaughter earlier this year who was jailed for life for stabbing another 17-year-old to death with a "Zombie Killer" machete in north London in June 2015.
Stefan Appleton, from Islington, died in hospital after he was attacked by Blaise Lewinson who had a "fascination with illegal knives".
The teenager can be named after Judge Richard Horne QC, who described the murder weapon as "utterly ferocious", lifted reporting restrictions.
Safeguarding minister Sarah Newton said: "This government will act wherever necessary to cut crime and keep our communities safe.
"Zombie killer knives glamorise violence and cause devastating damage - they have no place whatsoever in our society."
Alf Hitchcock, lead on knife crime at the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: "Zombie knives are absolutely horrific weapons.
"Forces are determined to reduce the harm caused by these and all other dangerous weapons."
Morris Bright, of the Local Government Association, which called for the ban, said an industry-backed code of practice on the naming, promotion and packaging of all knives was also needed - similar to that of the alcoholic drinks industry.

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